Page 97 of Unlocking Melodies

My heart stopped at Ethan's name. “Leave him out of this.”

“Oh?” Moretti's eyebrow rose with practiced precision. “Touching a nerve, am I? Don't worry - your boyfriend is safe. For now. Though I imagine he's quite concerned about your whereabouts.”

The thought of Ethan searching for me, worried and probably breaking every traffic law between here and New York, made my chest ache. But it also sparked something else - determination. Because Ethan didn't give up easily, and neither did I.

“You know what's funny?” I managed a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. “Everyone keeps telling me what a mess Past Jimmy was. How he got tangled up in other people's problems, trying to fix everything. But you know what else they say?”

Moretti actually looked interested despite himself. “Do tell.”

“They say he was really good at causing trouble for people who deserved it.” I met his gaze steadily. “Guess some things don't need memory to stick around.”

His smile faltered slightly - just enough to show the first crack in his polished facade. Good. Because if I was going down, I was taking his theatrical villain act with me.

And somewhere out there, Ethan was coming. That was one memory I didn't need my brain to confirm. Some things you just knew, deep in your bones, like muscle memory or the way your heart recognizes home.

I just had to stay alive long enough for him to find us. And make sure my father's latest disaster didn't get us all killed in the meantime.

“Still got that defiant look down, I see.” Moretti circled us again, reminding me of Luna stalking a particularly annoying moth. “Tell me, does it come naturally, or did you practice it in the mirror like your father practices his excuses?”

“What can I say? Small town bartending really hones your 'dealing with jerks' expression.” I forced my voice to stay steady despite the fear churning in my gut. “Though usually they're just trying to avoid their bar tabs, not playing discount movie villain.”

His smile tightened at the edges. Good. At least my talent for irritating people hadn't been affected by the amnesia.

“You know what I find fascinating?” He stopped directly in front of me, close enough that I could smell his obscenely expensive cologne. “How someone like Ethan Cole - brilliant, wealthy, powerful Ethan Cole - could be so thoroughly distracted by someone like you.”

My heart stuttered at Ethan's name, but I kept my face neutral. “Maybe he just has good taste in small-town charm.”

“Or maybe,” Moretti's voice dropped lower, “he sees what I see - leverage. Walking, talking, perfectly packaged leverage.”

The implications hit like a physical blow. This wasn't just about Gary's debts or mysterious files. This was about Ethan.

“If you think I'm going to help you get to him-“

“Oh, Jimmy.” His laugh was glass breaking. “You already have. Do you really think your disappearance hasn't sent himinto a panic? That he's not already mobilizing every resource at his disposal to find you?”

Images flashed through my mind - Ethan in full CEO mode, probably terrorizing half of New York trying to track me down. The thought made my chest ache.

“So here's how this plays out.” Moretti gestured to one of his guards, who pulled out a knife that definitely wasn't for opening letters. “You have a choice to make.”

Gary made a strangled sound beside me. “Don't... please...”

“Option one,” Moretti continued as if my father hadn't spoken, “you come with me willingly. Play nice. Keep dear old dad breathing a while longer. Help me get what I want from you.”

The guard moved closer to Gary, blade catching the harsh light.

“Or option two - watch daddy dearest find out exactly how sharp that knife is. Either way,” his smile turned predatory, “you're coming with me. The only question is how much blood gets shed in the process.”

“You're insane.” The words came out shakier than I meant them to.

“I prefer 'opportunistic.' And you, Jimmy Reed, are one hell of an opportunity.”

Gary suddenly lurched forward, straining against his bonds. “Take me instead. Please. He doesn't know anything-“

“Dad, shut up,” I snapped, because even now, even after everything, he was still trying to run cons. Still trying to talk his way out of messes he'd created.

“Touching.” Moretti nodded to the guard, who pressed the knife against Gary's throat. “But ultimately irrelevant. Your son is worth far more than you ever were, Gary. Ironic, isn't it?”

My mind raced through options, each more impossible than the last. If I went with them, I'd be used against Ethan. If Irefused... I glanced at my father, at the thin line of blood now appearing on his neck.

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